Devon SSSI nature reserve and eco lodges - Maggie's Blog

27 February 2010



Orange peel fungus - and the first daffodil...
It was warmer today, and mostly sunny. We've been clearing the brash left behind by winter scrub bashing, where we've been cutting back willow on Popehouse Moor.

Flowers are still pretty scarce, though the hazel catkins are bedecking the trees now. The most colourful object to be found was this little fungus - perhaps an orange peel fungus, Aleuria aurantia? Looks more shocking pink than orange to me, but it's the closest I can find. Season doesn't sound quite right though - usually autumn to early winter. So I may have to rethink the ID on further investigation.

George came with me to the nature reserve with his latest prize posession - a bug hunting kit! Despite the unpromising time of year he'd already found a millipede and tiny fly in the greenhouse. But the best find was this shield bug, which took a fancy to my coat when I put it on the ground to sit on.
We're pround to have gold level approval from the Devon Wildlife Trust. Click here for more on our environmental policies.


There's frogspawn in the woodland 'magic pond'. And finally, on the way back home, I spotted the first daffodil, by the small pond. Must be nearly spring...